Saturday, November 30, 2013

I almost found myself in a little "Black Friday" mayhem today. Well......not really but it makes for a more alluring post intro, don't ya think? Lol.

I went shopping this morning at Deanne Fitzpatricks Studio. She hosted a 5 artist show. There was a painter, a potter, a jeweler, a birdhouse maker and of course Deanne. It was so much fun mingling around with everyone. I was trying to Christmas shop and found this adorable birdhouse that will be perfect for Mom's best friend.

I fell in love with it. I was standing by it and chatting to one of the artists. All of a sudden this woman comes by and says "oooooh, look at the teapot one". I saw her arm begin to extend and there was no way I was letting that happen! I quickly layed my hand on top of it - "sorry, it's claimed." (And I may have smugly grinned, but that's just a rumor). Heehee Let's be clear......she was NOT leaving with my house.

I also left with another bag of wool. I mean, how can be in a rug hooking studio and not buy wool? I finished hooking a Mrs Claus. She needs to be bound but not today.

Someone wants a Olde Holiday Branch hooked before Christmas (and shipped to Ontario) so I need to speed hook this one. It's all drawn on burlap and my fingers are black from the sharpie.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

I thought I'd better post quickly tonight because I'm fairly sure we will be losing power before the night is over. Luckily (for us) we are not getting snow, but lots of rain and wicked winds. Just on my way home from work I had to maneuver around blowing garbage bags and the odd branch.

Poor little Millie could easily become airborne. She's not stupid though, she didn't venture too far from the door to do her business. I ran out of the background wool for Mrs Claus but I ran to Deanne's studio and grabbed some more. So I think I'll turn up the furnace and cut it up (while I can still see) and hunker down with a cup of tea.

I hope everyone who is being affected by the weather stays safe and of course, Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends. Gobble til you wobble!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Once upon a time, there was a kind old lady who lived at the North Pole. She was sweet and generous to all she encountered. But her husband was a bit of a workaholic who was rarely home. He was always in the workshop for most of the year with his "friends" and when holiday season arrived he took regular "business trips" to spread joy.

But his wife was lonely and quite frankly becoming suspicious of exactly what "spreading joy" meant! Her husbands excuses were always the same and she feared the worst. Her mood deepened as the holidays neared. She took solice in her kitchen, baking and tasting copius amounts of fruit cake and gingerbreads. Why bother to take care of myself she asked -- he's never home anyway. So she continued to seek affection directly from the oven.

One day a concerned elf appeared in her kitchen. He held up a mirror to her rotund face that had now sunk and spread to where her neck used to be. "Look at yourself" he squeaked. "No wonder Santa is hiding out in the workshop."

"Oh dear.........look at what's become of me", she moaned

"My hair is a discolored rats nest and........WHERE IS MY NECK??" The concerned little elf hopped up on the kitchen counter and dried her eyes. "Let me help you. I know a plastic surgeon who is doing new techniques using wool. I just know she can help you."

So the Mrs put her faith in the little elf and made an appointment with the surgeon. She begged to look less like a witch in a red dress and more like the kind, sweet, caring person who once lit a fire in Old St. Nick.

P.S. If Santa is a little late getting to your house this year it's because he's "getting busy" with the Mrs....

Saturday, November 23, 2013

I am often a recipient of Murphy's Law - or "anything that can go wrong, will go wrong". But not this time! This one time, I got the jump on Old Murphy.

In typical "Kim" fashion, I procrastinated the whole winter tires thing. I farted around and delayed dragging them up from the basement and arranging the appointments at the garage. By the time I got around to calling, half the town had already booked and I couldn't get an appointment until yesterday, nov 22. Now normally we would have had at least one snowfall by then. I had visions of sliding around the snow covered streets in my summer tires. But the tires got switched yesterday and look what I woke up to this morning.....

Just a dusting (and it was gone about 2 hours after I woke up) but still, I got one up on Murphy. I win!

In other news, I got my annual flu shot at work Thursday. Now, I will spare you my annual rant about my personal views that the flu shot is evil and weakens our natural immune system. But everyone tells me I'm evil if I don't get one and Mom gets sick. So I begrudgingly get one. (Oops, a mini rant slipped in there). I had it in my non-hooking arm in case it was sore for a few days. I'm always thinking, right? Lol

Last night I tried to sketch out a new little rug. I hope to be able to get some hooking done so I can see how it looks. Tonight is our Santa Claus Parade in town. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. It's a shame when all the little ones are freezing on the floats.

There's a big steaming pot of st-oup on the stove. St-oup is my version of "not quite a stew, not quite a soup". The smell is making me hungry. I need a full stomach to hook all afternoon.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Well, my "having it" was brief. I woke up this morning and knew I'd lost it. This old gal can't handle two big nights out in a row. Lol. Last night I went to a play put on by a local comedy troop. It was great. No, to be more accurate there is a better description - I laughed my ass off. The play had an interesting topic.....it was about swinging.

Hahaha, No not this kind of swinging. The "alternative lifestyle" of swingers! They handled it tastefully but extremely funny.

This morning I finally opened up a new piece of burlap and drew out this pattern I have been dying to hook. It's a Lori Rippey pattern, Red Belsnickle.

Sorry it's so dark and blurry but I just wanted to prove I really still was a hooker (despite the dust on my hook lately). It is hooking up quickly. I like that!

Speaking of Christmas stuff, I found a channel on Sirius xm that is playing all Christmas music! I've been listening to it for days. I know my cousin Keltie will be horrified when she reads this ;). I can't help it!

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Last night I had the opportunity to go out to dinner with the talented Jen Manuell from Fish Eye Rugs blog. She's in town for a few days teaching at Deanne's studio. We have followed each other's blogs for years, I've taken a class from her before and we have stayed in touch. (Another friendship spawned from blogland)

We had a blast catching up. We dined on an amazing seafood pasta (and a few drinks).

And the conversation never stopped and spread across everything from blogging, hooking, fashion to eventually zombies. Yes, it made sense at the time. Guess you had to be there! Lol At one point we were even demonstrating rug finishing techniques using strips of paper napkins around our iPhones.

You know you are enjoying yourself when you guess it's probably about 8:45pm, but the clock says 10:20pm!

At one point Deanne and her husband popped in. A bit after they left a round of drinks arrived at our table. We told the waitress it was a mistake, we didn't order them. She says, no mistake - someone sent them to you. WELL, didn't we feel special! Imagine, 2 gals, well beyond their 20's getting drinks sent over. As we were laughing about how "we were all that and a bag of chips" suddenly I said "oh, I bet Deanne ordered them for us before she left". We laughed and decided that was more plausible than our original idea.

This morning I stopped into the studio to check out the class. (Invited by Jen to stop in - I'm not a class crasher). I went to thank Deanne for the drinks. She said "it wasn't me, but now I'm sorry I hadn't thought of it". Really, it wasn't you?? Nope she says. So I immediately started to smile and headed back to the workshop to tell Jen that we WERE still HOT after all!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

I've been working like a demon lately. Lots of late evenings and big projects. It's all good but it has cut into my blogging and blog surfing time. I'm behind but I will catch up on you soon.

I got home tonight at 7pm and I was starving. I had just walked into the house and only had one boot off so far when I heard "crash" and quickly followed by some "colorful language".

Auntie had spilled a full cup of tea all over the pale grey carpet AND one of my hooked rugs. Naturally the only one I have on the floor and it has on off white background. Sigh.....

So since her back is still bad I spent 20 minutes blotting, spraying, scrubbing, and drying the carpet. If you're paying attention (and I know you are) I'm still starving. Then on my way past the sofa I noticed the mail pile.

The new Taste of Home magazine was delivered. Yay! Just what you need when you're hungry! Lol. So I grabbed a cup of tea (managed to keep it upright) and 3 peanut butter balls and flipped through all the recipes. I may have found this years selection for the annual family cookie exchange. I will test them soon.

I do not recommend the peanut butter ball diet as a regular supper selection. Oh and now I'm having dessert.....a bag of chips. Yeah, I'm the poster girl for healthy living :)

Sunday, November 10, 2013

First and foremost my tummy has settled today. And no freaky dreams. I was a little scared to sleep, not knowing who I might have tea in dreamland with this time.

The temps are dropping and I have found myself pulling up the extra blanket the last few nights. And this morning there were a few nasty white flakes in the air. Luckily they quickly turned to rain. I cuddled in for the day and knit on a new infinity scarf.

Just a simple ribbed pattern in a nice soft yarn. It's taking longer than I hoped as the yarn is not very thick but I probably have close to 2 feet knit. Next time I make one I will use larger needles.

And finally, I picked up the hook tonight. I took Meg's advice and put away the rug that had me blocked and started a little snowman that I had quickly drawn up. A fun, uncomplicated little guy

Ahh, feels good. And while I was hooking I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. I watched my first ever episode of Duck Dynasty! In fact, I watched 2 episodes. Too funny. I can see how people get addicted to it. I can't say I'm addicted but it was shockingly entertaining.

And lastly but certainly not least, don't forget to wear your poppy with pride tomorrow

Saturday, November 9, 2013

An international incident of my own making. I never learn. Once a year my church hosts an International Food Fair. I look forward to it all year. It was today and now I am suffering. There were 11 countries represented. You bought tickets and got to sample the most delicious foods.

I had every intention of taking more pictures but you know how it is - eating, talking, socializing and you forget. I'm such a bad blogger that way. This was my first sample plate and the only photo I took.

I managed to hit 8 out of 11 countries before I quit. The food was amazing and I was stuffed. But not long after I was home, my stomach started to rebel. A little international war within. The Bangladesh nuggets were fighting with the Korean pancakes. And the Singapore noodles were putting up a fuss too. Uugghhh, I layed on the sofa for most of the afternoon. Next year I think I need to exercise a little more self restraint. Lol. In my defense I was being prodded by my table mates who kept saying how good this or that was so naturally I had to try it.

About the gingerbread Oreos I posted about yesterday......I should have tasted them before I posted. They are not Oreos best work. Kind of disappointing because who doesn't love Oreos?

Friday, November 8, 2013

Yay, it's finally Friday and even better, the start of a long weekend! I had a great nights sleep last night and only had to work until noon today. I spent most of the afternoon visiting with friends. I went to my bestie Terri's office and picked up a yummy bottle of mustard pickles from her Mom. She is the best cook.

Then I went to visit Deanne. I let her make me a cup of tea (wasn't that nice of me to "let" her?), we got caught up on each other's news and I looked around at beautiful rugs and wool. Her studio really is beautiful. It made me want to hook again. I am once again faced with the dilemma of continuing to finish a piece I'm not happy with or chuck it and start something else.

The search for inspiration continued as I sought out the latest Rug Hooking magazine

Found one! This is a great edition. I found a couple of things that peaked my interest. I also found something else while I was getting the magazine

Gingerbread Oreos!! So now I'm settled with my magazine, a cup of tea and a handful of Oreos. Life is good. Not exactly the Friday night of years gone by, but I'm happy.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

It was a long repetitive day. I found myself asking question after question. I was conducting interviews for a new employee. It's exhausting. It is one of the most important functions of my job, finding the right people for the jobs but Man, it's a long, tiring exercise. It's hard to stay engaged by mid day after hearing similar responses over and over again. By 5 pm I was ..........exhaustipated.

But one more day and then a 3 day weekend!! I bet you are all wondering what happened with the last phone bill. Hehehe. If you remember last month they had my account with an almost $600 credit. Now I should have taken the money and run. But, cursed with honesty, I didn't take it. So this month the credit was only $158. There is no rhyme nor reason to the billing or the crazy balances.

This time, before I called, I made my own spread sheet of my account. Every payment, every missed billing - their error etc. This month I should have owed them $8. Instead they say they owe me $158.

I called, I explained, I ranted a little. I demanded a supervisor. Then I requested a shut off of my service so I could go elsewhere. I was put on hold. She returned with an offer. They will "let" me keep the $158 as a "customer appreciation and retention gesture". Yes, that's what she called it. AND they will complete a form, attached to my account stating it was final and could never be audited and they could never come back and say I owed them any money back.

..........I was dumbfounded. I had to ask her - "Is this just because nobody there knows how to fix my account, because you know this balance is wrong?" YES was her answer. We can't fix it so we will just give you the money. Well, OK. But dagnabbit, I wish this offer was made last month. LOL

Monday, November 4, 2013

Not much blog-worthy to report so you must suffer through a little random blather. Another week come and gone. I did go spend a few hours Saturday night with and old friend. (She's not old, but we've been friends since grade 1). I brought a cheese ball (sooooo good)

And she had a bottle of wine. Nice combo huh! Now I am not a wine officianado but I do like red, and who doesn't like chocolate? This wine was supposed to have a hint of chocolate. It wasn't over-powering but did have a faint chocolatey finish. It was a nice, rich red. It gets my thumbs up

We got caught up and solved all the problems of the world. HA!

I took full advantage of that glorious extra hour of sleep Saturday. Wouldn't it be nice to get that extra hour every weekend? I cleaned out my closet in a ruthless fit and took 2 full garbage bags to the goodwill shop.

Now for the topper to wrap up the ridiculous portion of this post. It's ridiculous and cheesy! Sunday night at about 9:30 I was a little peckish so I grabbed a box of crackers and the 2nd cheese ball I'd ordered. Sun-dried tomato and Parmesan ...... Yummm. Well, I got carried away and ate about half of it. I went to bed and had the weirdest dream EVER.

I had tea with the Queen. Yes, the Queen of England

Oh yes, dear Old Liz and I chatted away like girlfriends for hours. It was so real and so vivid. What the heck is that about??

Friday, November 1, 2013

How's that for a post title? I just woke up from a nap so that's the best I could come up with in a post-groggy state. By the end of the week I'm wiped out. And just before bed last night I noticed Mom wasn't quite right. At first I thought it was just Halloween hangover but no, she was burning up with a fever. I gave her something and luckily by this morning she was cool.

A wet and wild wind and rain storm arrived this morning also. I am fairly confident that by morning there will be no leaves left on any tree.

The storm knocked out power to over half the town. Watching traffic is amazing during a power outage. People manage to competently navigate through 4-way stops all the time, every day. But knock out the traffic lights at an intersection and nobody knows what the heck to do. Jiminy Crickets people.....it's still a 4-way stop!! It was like chaos out there.

That covers the wet and wild - Now for the Whoops! I still can't believe I did this. Talk about Foot-in-Mouth

I stopped into a corner store this morning and saw one of the clerks and then I said it........"Oh, you lightened up your hair" .........she got a funny look on her face and said - "No I didn't. I just haven't colored it lately". Oh Dear Lord......I wished the floor would open up and swallow me. Now, how exactly do you recover from something like that? Should I have said "well, grey becomes you?". This has happened to me before when I was a week or so behind on my color so I know how awkward it is. I think I'm going to have to go to a new store for a few weeks (until she forgets)